We went there for the great photo-ops... and groceries ... and a change. I'll go back again for the smiling faces. What more do you need to recommend a lovely morning of shopping and wandering than warm smiles from everyone - vendors, musicians, and nice old guys with dogs.

​Along with lots happy people, St Jacob's also turned out to be a great place to shop. As Canada's largest year-round outdoor market and with literally hundreds of vendors, the browsing, sampling, and spending options were endless. My favourte place for all three was Country Style Products. Mum and I sampled and spent our way through rows and rows of homemade preserves, relishes, chutney, brown sugar fudge, and fresh-baked foccacia bread. Perogie Palace sorted out dinner plans for my Polish husband and two always-hungry kids.

And the must-go destination once all that shopping has worked up an appetite (and all that sampling just wasn't enough)? Just follow your nose to The Fritter Co! Hot and sweet apple fritters - SO delicious - now I know what all the smilings about at St. Jacobs Market!